1
as in dual
consisting of two members or parts that are usually joined
the double-edged purpose of the sales promotion is to clear out existing stock and to attract new customers
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2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
her double-edged remark that she hoped that I ultimately got what I deserved
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Recent Examples of double-edged
In the cognitive realm, artificial intelligence is similarly double-edged.
—
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Putin boasts of Russia’s record-low 2.3% unemployment rate, but this sword is double-edged.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
For Eisenberg’s film, the decision is double-edged: from the perspective of the characters, exceptional demands are placed on the dialogue to make their past come to life, but the dialogue isn’t sufficiently rich or imaginative to meet the challenge.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Usually double-edged, the weapons were occasionally decorated with engraved patterns.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024
Among artists and intellectuals, technology has always been double-edged, utopian and dystopian.
—Jed Perl, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2023
Moran’s joke is double-edged.
—Giles Harvey, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2023
Trending For Sohn, identity is double-edged.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2023
Nearly all executives and investors in this niche of neurotechnology acknowledge Musk’s impact on the field, though some say it is double-edged.
—Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Putin boasts of Russia’s record-low 2.3% unemployment rate, but this sword is double-edged.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
For Eisenberg’s film, the decision is double-edged: from the perspective of the characters, exceptional demands are placed on the dialogue to make their past come to life, but the dialogue isn’t sufficiently rich or imaginative to meet the challenge.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Usually double-edged, the weapons were occasionally decorated with engraved patterns.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024
Among artists and intellectuals, technology has always been double-edged, utopian and dystopian.
—Jed Perl, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2023
Moran’s joke is double-edged.
—Giles Harvey, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2023
Trending For Sohn, identity is double-edged.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2023
Nearly all executives and investors in this niche of neurotechnology acknowledge Musk’s impact on the field, though some say it is double-edged.
—Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double-edged
Adjective
-
Its dual narrative concerns a set of perverse medical experiments about human consciousness performed in an early-20th-century Argentine sanitorium and, a century later, an outsider artist who carries forth the legacy of these trials in grotesque ways.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
-
Starting with Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku as dual false nines at the Amex Stadium, Chelsea lacked a consistent penalty-box presence or a reliable means to stretch the opposition defence.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
While critical thinking is invaluable, the tendency to fixate on ambiguous data points—many of which pertain to uncontrollable external factors—can lead to unnecessary stress.—
Davide Sartini,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
The two were previously involved in a morally ambiguous mission gone wrong, which led to Vincent murdering an undercover cop.—
Skyler Trepel,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Of the 75 binary and triple asteroid systems observed by radar since 2000, 70% were discovered using radar.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
14 May 2025
-
No doubt, an elite player up front would elevate the team, but football is not as binary as that and the issues with creation and conversion that have arisen over the past two seasons stretch beyond just one position.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
The crime scene was made more terrifying by a cryptic message the killer scrawled across a wall near the victims that demanded drug money.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
-
Amid all the trade rumors going on, Antetokounmpo has made a cryptic social media post.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
The 2-in-1 Tote Bag keeps your chaos chic with a snap strap for your laptop, zip pockets for the tiny stuff (pacifiers or lip balm, anyone?), and twin open slots for easy phone grabs mid-diaper change.—
Pooja Shah,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
From family rooms with twin sofas to dens with a trio of tables, these thoughtful and creative setups are sure to make any space sing.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Starting from a relatively obscure blog, Yarvin has emerged as one of the most prominent critics of ...—
Fred Bauer,
National Review,
10 May 2025
-
What historical and cultural circumstances lead a language down such obscure paths?—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Suddenly, somebody invented a machine and offered them a new deal: Work in this stinky dark factory or starve.—
Karim Doumar,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
-
Infected roots turn unnaturally dark and mushy, or even weep.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Double-edged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double-edged. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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